LA Noire

Title and Fonts
First thing we can deduct from the title of this Film Noir style video game is how feminised it has become to be glamorise and appealing.

The 'show biz' lighting along the lettering adding the desirability factor, however the flickering half broken light can be taken as an underlying message of the seediness and destruction yet to come. This connects to Film Noir style films as it holds many of the themes such as deception. (The flickering lights showing the inlaying message of the glamorised lettering)

Main Menu
The Main Menu has key mise-en-scene conventions of Film Niore such as the bright red lipstick, a symbol of femme fatale; a character later to be introduced within the game, a cigarette; a stereotypical habit for a 1940's detective to have taken up which set both the genre of police detective/crime by an indication of the characters and supports the extreme detective feel of the location the main menu is set.




Opening sequences
At the beginning of the montage clip at the start of the game, we are shown the glamorised side of Hollywood, advertising it as 'the place to be, where dreams come true!', which is stereotypically used to attract tourists. The trendy' must have vehicles of their day with the shot suggests that the easy-going 'american dream' lifestyle is achieve able. The 'happy', 'joyful' and 'yerning' life is complimented and emphasised by the jazz music which became popular within the 1950's. The setting is also made to look like a bright to reinforce the sunny California state. This also makes the location look appealing and safe. However there are hidden messages of the underlying 'nitty gritty' theme of the video game. For example within the opening first seven seconds we are introduced with the typical 'Film Noir' characters; the business man, wearing the traditional suit complete with the trilby hat! We are also introduced to other characters such as the 'good cop' with his wife 'the good woman'. The 'cop' career relating back to the motifs of crime, law and justice. The 'good woman' the polar opposite to the femme fatale.

As well as this, we have a narrator explaining the story; we have another classic noir trait. The voice contradicts what the opening is trying to portray, made to try and sound opening and appealing to the audience with quotes such as "City of dreams" (an ambiguous statement to make), however the underlying huskiness is also another hint of the crime with comes hand-in-hand with the Film Noir genre. The voice over also contradicts itself;  It makes promises of the American dream becoming a reality in Hollywood however with then proceed to say "The city of undercuts, where not everything is as it seems" . I feel that this could be related back to the 'dirty business man' trait with at least one character has within a Film Noir styled film. Deceiving the people around them to achieve their goal/want.

The Game
You can chose from a selection of cases (games), but what is instantly recognisable is the extreme contrast between the opening sequence and  actual game; where as the opening sequence glamorised Hollywood, the game showed a completely different side. Gritty, dirty, seedy Hollywood.

Locations stay to the typical film Noir theme with low key and artificial lighting: businesses, alleyways, streets which create the sense of claustrophobia - the tall buildings, wet/damp setting, fog and camera angles with vanishing points.

props stay typically the same, with the use of a gun, nook or knife as the murder weapon with the victim dying a horrible dramatic death. The smoking detective always seen with a cigarette, and the femme fatale is never without red lipstick.

Essex Boys

essex boys by

Realised i didn't post it... sorry!

Metro Line!

The picture is of 'Megan&Charlotte's Metro Line" which demonstrates how a selection of Film Noire Thrillers are connected through the conventions they include. For example lets start with the purple line which connects all of the films the class has studies which includes characters of moral ambiguity, and as we can see its one of the more popular convention with five films, along side 'voice over' (light blue line) which also connects five films. To add on another convention a new line is created which may run along side another film to create another 'station'. For example 'Essex Boys' has three 'stations' as it includes Moral Ambiguity, the Femme Fatale character and a Voice Over.

I quite like this method of demonstration how thrillers can be successful by including different conventions as its clear and colourful. I also quite like the creative use of the underground map for a displaying technique as its original.

Thriller Mood Board

Mood Board on Prezi

Film Noir THE CHARACTERS

Film Noir brings in opposing characters to add conflict, and in doing to politics and drama, with the films.

 First we have the, predominantly male, leading role, the 'hero' or protagonist who always has the trait of moral ambiguity. Although the audience instantly assumes he is righteous at the beginning the line between what is right and what is wrong blurred within his vision becomes apparent as the film continues. It is expected that his character shall also have the career of being a detective. Detective linking in the themes of Film Noir such as enigma and deceit. We also have other predominantly male roles such as the 'gangster' business man. These characters usually dont have as much depth to them as the protagonist, and usually appear to be exactly as we see on screen; the bad guy who's main goal in life is to take money. Again, the gangster life style instantly links up Film Noir themes such as crime and wealth.

The female characters are a bit more contradicting rather than the only opposite that is clear is which 'side' they are on. For starters we have the 'good woman'. Think of a woman who conform the role of what society expects of a stereotypical woman in the 1940's and brought it to an extreme; domestic, loyal and a good house wife (kept woman). Although seen to be the 'perfect' woman within what society expects, she is the conflicting opposite of what we expect to see within the Film Noir style of film; completely out of place within the themes of 'lust' and 'enigma' as there will be nothing entrancing and mystifying about her character. Usually her man, the protagonist, is lured away due to the appealing femme fatale who takes control of a scene, pushing the 'good woman' out of the audiences and protagonists attention and  which ultimately leads him to his downfall.

This could also reflect on what society expectations of women, and how these expectation are changing within society. The 'good woman' reflecting on what used to be the only way to get accepted within the 1940's but was quickly becoming an outdated opinion to how women are allowed to be seen and act. Femme fatale being an extreme example, however she is the complete opposite to the 'good woman'. The change in opinion could be down to the success of Britain wining the WW2. Women had played a massive role in keeping British industryafloat as the the men had gone off to fight. They had proven to themselves and to society  to be just as capable of a male, which was the spark for the shift in their status.

The Killing (1946), The 'good woman' loses her husband (and audience) to the Femme Fatale.





Then we have the Femme Fatale; the woman who ultimately destroys the protagonist (clue is in the name). She is everything you would expect from a seductress: flirtatious, appealing, head strong, dominant, and lustful. She is an unconventional when compared to the expectations on who she should be and how she should act. Rather than taking on the role of the domestic house wife, she chooses a path of sex and wealth. She has a glamorous image which surrounds her, may that be through the location she is in, or the people she is with. Her whole allure created through the use of low key lighting, sleek elegant clothing and inviting body language. Her Independence when it comes towards men give her the power to do as she pleases which is what makes her so dangerous; she has no boundaries.

Do you think the femme fatale is a manifestation of male anxieties about female power post-2nd world war?

Within society post-war, women were applying for careers and there was a lot of debating between the sex's as it was a massive change from the 'role of a woman' pre-war when women were very much seen as house wives.

Femme Fatale is a character where the stereotypical seductress conventions are brought to the extreme, however these ideas must have evolved from somewhere. Christianity was the biggest religion within Britain at this particular point in time, and within the bible it had always labelled the temptation a woman brings to be a 'sin' (Eve convinced Adam to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree; an apple). Femme Fatale are expected to be desirable and alluring to the protagonist, the forbidden fruit. Much like when Adam took a bite out of the apple it was the downfall, when the protagonist gives in to the Femme Fatale his character is ultimately 'doomed'.

Using this analogy, I think that Femme Fatale are probably the manifestations of male anxiety of the thought of women being seen as equal status. Before, the male had always been in control, head of the household, and a womans opinion wasnt seen to be as important. I think the Femme Fatale reflects the worry and anxiety the men had of them potentially loosing their control over situations and their life falling apart with women using the one trait where they predominantly have the upper hand; seducing. Here is where the Femme Fatale's characteristics started. The destrustion the Femme Fatale causes in her path of greed and lust, could reflect on the presumption of women causing destrustion if they were allowed to go out to work and be seen as an equal.

The Third Man

The Third Man, directed by Carol Reed, is another film which has been produced in the style of Film Noir, taking on the  morbid, bleak, crime themes.  In true Film Noir fashion 'The Third Man' has taken everything morbid which was happening in society during the time period, taking it to the extreme, and turning it into a film; Harry Lime goes missing due to being found out about selling medication of hospitals which is deforming children, his friend Holly Martin (yes he is male) has made it his own personal mission to discover where he is hiding.

One of the most famous scenes in The Third Man is the sewer scene; During the end part of the film on where Harry Lime is running away from the police and decided to turn into the underground tunnels of the sewers. This is itself could be taken as a reference to 'heaven' and 'hell'. Harry Lime as a character has mixed morals when earning a living, there is a line is in deception and lies told to provide for your family, however Harry Lime crossed it when his actions and extent of deception caused children to suffer. For his character to the retreat to the sewer, a dirty dark place, suggests that 'hell' is where he belongs, and ties in the familiar moral less, seedy character Film Noir is famous for. 

The Third Man uses six different aspects which can be categorised into : Sound, Location, Camera Work, Editing, Lighting and Action.

Camera Work AND Editing

The Sewer also offers a chance to include another key conversion of Film Noir; claustrophobic disorientation. The sewer scene holds many scenes shot at a close angle to emphasis the closed spaces, like a 'tapped rat' (Harry Lime being the rat) which highlights the themes of struggling and need of escape in this particular scene. The disorientation comes from the obscure shots and angles, with the editing cutting in weird places which don't seems to be following pattern or order, from the rapid change of shot types, long shot, to close up, to medium shot ect; the audience will be continuously be trying to find a meaning or reasoning for cutting in these places, which holds no other reason than to make them feel disorientated and confused. For example at one point the editor has cut scenes to have police men run into he sewers and through the tunnels from different parts of the city, making it hard to keep track who was where and how close to Harry Lime as his abouts location within the tunnels was also unknown. The only action clear happening on screen was that there was a chase between a criminal and the police.

 

In this particular screen shot the audience has a 'birds eye view' on Harry Lime. If you look closely you will be able to recognise that you camera angle has a slight tilt to a low angle, giving the illusion of the audience being is a high status of knowledge and power; this is where our judgement of Harry Lime is going to shift from an 'evil' moral less character, to feel sympathetic towards his situation. Within the scene, Harry is in pain after receiving a bullet, and helplessly still trying to climb up the stairs from the sewer to gain freedom.; Freedom which he will never receive. The audience picks up on this which causes their opinions to have a change of heart.  This simple technique was able to control the audience's response.

This being said, the majority of shot types include close up and mid shots of the characters, as this is the confusion and emotions shown on each of their faces is a important role in causing the disorientation to the audience. The camera also keeps to tight shots, focusing in to add the sense of the location being claustraphobic.



 
 

Sound

The use of sounds within the Sewer scene was also used quite effectively used to cause disorientation.

When Harry Lime firsts enters the sewers we are immediately met with the constant sound of running water being echoed throughout the tunnels which does not end until the rest of the scene is over (at the end of the film). This later on in the film helps play a key aspect in how Harry Lime will be feeling so trapped and disorientated.

The stone underground tunnels of the sewer were able to echo each word and footstep made giving the illusion that someone is close by when in reality they are quite a distance. This made it impossible for both the audience and Harry Lime to have any idea on who was where. What does not help matters in the constant sound of the running water, which makes it hard to distinguish what the source of each sound is; whether it is the waterfall or the voices/footsteps of the police.

During the clip the police will switch from Foreign language, supposedly Deutsch as the film is set in Vienna, to English throught the whole scene, only giving away half of the plot.  This disorientates the audience, as well as confuses them as we are unable to 'fill in the blanks'. Constantly looking for an answer yet never able to find one. It also gives the audience a little insight on what Harry Lime's character must be feeling as he only knows half of what is going on himself - his half. He knows his next action, yet is completely unaware of the next move of the Police; Its like a large game of 'cat and mouse'.

The Scene where Harry is close to freedom uses sound quite nicely. As Harry lime has brought his fingers through the cracks of the drain, all noise is cut except from the sound of the wind blowing through his fingers as he is met with the door to freedom. However the clip will then cut back to the image of Harry Trapped within the sewer with the noise of the police footsteps, falling water and voices gradually increases through the illusion of them 'gaining up on him'. This adds in with the claustrophobic idea as Harry Lime is trapped between the Police and the exit with him chance of freedom which isnt opening.

Lighting
Due to The Third Man taking on the style of Film Noir, we are able to instantly know that lighting is going to play a big role in causing the disorientation and claustrophobia. First we are able to distinguish the type of lighting: artificial due to the lack of natural light sources such as the sun, and the excess amount of torches in scene supplied by the policemen. The torches making the ligh source act as a spot light, which will then highlight key features within the scene the audience needs to pay attention to, such as their facial expressions. They will also create movement to the shadows we will be able to see within the sewers, as the policemen wont be holding the torch in one perticular spot but moving the light around to be able to see. This creates disorientation.

In this particular picture the light source is the 'light at the end of the tunnel' is am idiom used when you believe something that is difficult or unpleasant will end. The lighting still shows that Harry Lime believes that he is able to escape and outsmart the policemen, that there is still hope. I suppose this technique is for the audience to believe that there is a chance Harry is able to get away, so his downfall creates some sort of shock.


The 'light at the end of the tunnel is also used as a vanishing point; in this case the point within a clip we are no longer able to see anymore. This image seems to have been enclosed using this effect to add to the claustraphobia of the location. It highlights the cold stone walls and ceiling of the sewer tunnels and in doing so, giving the illusion of the tunnel decreasing in size.


Action
The main action happening within the scene is running and searching. Harry lime, running away from the police and searching for a way out. Police: running around the sewers to catch Harry Lime, and searching for any sign of him. Not a great variety however quite effective.

Although the action is minimalistic, the running has a huge effect on the disorientation of the whole clip. As the characters on screen are constantly moving their exact location is constantly changing, and there are A LOT of characters with each one running about in a different location within the sewer. The different scenery with the same action with what appears to be the same person due to the policemen all wearing the same uniform, causes the disorientation as the audience has to keep up with who is who, where they are and where they are running to.

Location
As you have probably guessed, the dominant location within the chase scene is the underground sewers, and like i have said before it can be a reference to 'heaven and hell'. However we do have another location which is the city, which can easily be contrasted with the sewers.

City

• Busy/lively
• constantly lit (may that be through natural light like the sun, or artificial light such as street lamps)
• Populated with people
• Clean(er)

Sewers

• Lonely
• Dark/Dull
• Populated with vermin
• Dirty

The sewer is a unattractive place to be living in through the idea, however when contrasted with the city any appeal which it might have had (which i really doubt to being with), is non existent now. The continuous running into darkness of not knowing what way is safe, its where the disorientation begins.  

Film Noir Conventions

Conventions of film Noir

Film Noir is everything within the film such as the them, mood and mise-en-scene. Film Noir became popular in the 1940-1960's in its style of film due to the relevance and links it had with what society was going through at the time. In the 1940's the second world war against Hitler and the Nazi's was recently over and still a massive event in society due to its struggling to build back the cities and country.

MISE-EN-SCENE

Props&Costume

• A gun is probably the most common prop in films following the Film Noir style. As film Noir takes the dark, enigmatic route and ideas in film making, a gun would be the perfect prop to fit in. A gun is a strong simble of power, aggression and fear. It holds superiority and status to the owner. There is nothing seen 'good' about owning an armed weapon, and those who are in possession who are not in the armed forces are instantly seen to be 'dangerous' people as the have the potential to take and end a life. Its also what we stereotypically expect to see a gangster in possession of; another Film Noir convention.
• In Film Noir a typical character we expect to see is a detective, and one way to getting this message across the the audience is through costume. Smartly dress suit to hold status and class (however they never have the shiny shoes), completed with a trench coat and hat is usually worn by the male protagonist. The way people interact with one another is through facial expressions and body language; Through cutting this form of communication off it effecively seportes the character off from the rest of society and this give him the enigmatic, threatening allure.

Locations

• Business offices in urban settings, nothing natural in the location. It offers status and power depending on how 'grand' the business location is. It allows the director to play around with certain scenes and camera angles in debate on who has the control throughout a scene.

LIGHTING

• Artificial - a lot like the urban settings will take away everything natural in the scene which then given in the possibility that anything could happen within the scene.
• dark - doesn't give away the full picture on what is happening within the scene, giving the enigmatic affect by playing on a childhood fear; "scared of the dark". The fear originating from the fear of the unknown. Theoretically as this is a film, anything or one could be lurking in the corner waiting to strike.
• sharp- shadowing more predominant. The use of shadows is a big convention in Film Noir as it effectively sets the mood.

THEMSES&MOOD

• Enigma (mystery)
• Crime
• Gender
• Bleak
• Discovery and suspicion discovery
• Lust- woman
• Deceit and Betrayal
• Concealment

CAMERA WORK

• Close UPs give the ability to focus on one subject to the audience may that be an action or an emotional response.
• Extreme Angles have the ability to either reduce or increase a status or authority to a subject, my that be a character or a location. Through Low angle shots, the camera i looking up to the subject, increasing the power and control as the audience appears to be looking up to the subject. A high angle shot does the exact opposite; reduces the amount of authority and status a subject has within the scene as the audience appears to be looking on on the subject, giving the illusion that he's the weaker subject.
• Obscure Shots are usually used to give a sense of privacy and concealment to the characters, adding to the enigma theme. This then gives the audience the feel of being a 'fly on the wall', which then adds to the detective, crime genre Film Noir likes to involve.
• Extreme Long Shots set the scene and makes the audience look further into the shot; scrutinise what is happening within the scene.

CHARACTERS

• Moral Ambiguity in the male protagonist
• Gangsters
• Femma Fatale - the strong female character whom is ultimately going to be the male lead characters downfall.

film noir

Casino Royal

Casino Royal is a well known and loved James Bond film, starting Daniel Craig. It's the first Bond film to step away from the stereotypical 'villan with fluffy cat', but take a darker turn and go to the conventions of 'Film Noir', which became a popular style of film during the 1940's-1960's however decreased in popularity as its relevance to society became outdated. Film Noir sets a mood/theme, camera work, mise-en-scene ect. James Bond, in its opening first few scenes in Casino Royal sticks closely to the conventions of Film Noir.

Shadowing is a key feature within these scenes which the audience are unable to ignore due to the intensity and effectiveness in creating the mood and feel of the film. The harsh sharp shadows have been created through a single artificial light source. The lack of natural light gives the audience the impression of negative intentions, and in doing so controls their reaction. In this particular scene has light directed just on James Bond's face, and in effect creating a spot light. Bond would be the more important rather than the location or props, so the words spoken or expression he hold would be seen to have more depth and meaning.

Bond was speaking to "  " , the stereotypical male 'gangster'; dressed well in a suit with a long coat to cover him up as much as possible giving the character the enigmatic allure, a successful business man meaning he has money giving him a status of importance, a provider (has a wife and child), and dangerous (keeps a gun). For example in 'This Gun For Hire', Raven is another character whom has many of the same traits as " " in Casino Royal such as the style of clothing and impression given off on screen.  This dark, threatening gang member is a typical Film Noir cliche which James Bond is famous for including.

The 'buisness man' trait of a stereotypical 'gangster' brings in the convention of business offices in cities. Film Noir is set in urban rather than rural settings due to the fast pace, variety of sounds and characters found on the streets. The urban setting is usually a pretty location/ setting making everything look fine on the surface just like each character within the film, however once inside, or having prier knowledge the truth on the actions which go on side are the complete opposite 'pretty', but brutal and unethical. This is seen in the opening of Casino Royal and The Third Man, another film which sticks to the style of Film Noir. The extreme low angle shot gives the tower block and intimidating, power status implying the location is of high importance to those who who work and are in alliance there. The fact that James Bond then proceeded to murder a high ranking business man whom works in that area gives the impression to the audience that the status someone has holds no significance, but the factor which is relevant to James Bond is the actions which they perform and if it affects his beloved country.

James Bond himself is a Film Noir convention; he is the anti hero. For example in This can link with the clear moral ambiguity of James Bond; He appears to be in the right, due to his status of working for 'Queen and Country' however he shoots to kill for a living. As seen on screen James Bond straight away shoots down the 'gangster', who may appear to be a bad person however in doing so, he deprived a wife without a husband and children without their father. There are other methods of dealing with criminals such as prison rather than death. This being said, James Bond is known for being the 'man with the gun', 'shoot to kill' character which gives him this appeal to the audience. He is unique in the sense of the audience not knowing how 'good' he actually is. He has all characteristics to the the villain however stays true to MI5. For example the troubled childhood, the lack of respect for authority and rash decisions. High contrasting black and white, rather than grayscale completely changes the meaning in the scene where James Bond is killing a young man. The saying "Things are either black or white" is saying nothing can be justified. Everything is either right or wrong, and using the high contrasting light within the scene works well, clearly showing James' moral ambiguity is a clear visual way.

The actual filming of Casino Royal has a lot of extreme angle, and obscure shots exaggerates everything which is happening on screen. This is probably to emphasise that this is not going to be a normal James Bond film but is going to take a much darker turn. This being said, the extreme angles also take an unrealistic view on the scene, however i feel that this does not hinder but helps the James Bond films in drawing in the audience. James Bond takes a completely far fetched storyline, which the audience knows and is expecting. It adds to the James Bond films in taking the audience into this action filled story, catching their attention in wanting to discover the ending.

Introduction

Hi, i am Charlotte and this is my media blog